These photographs from the archive of artist/set designer Simon Haynes convey the scope and ambition of the great 80s British independent retail outlet Practical Styling, operated by Paul Jones and Tommy Roberts on the ground floor and basement of London’s brutalist CentrePoint building.
//Tommy Roberts strikes a series of poses for Haynes for the neo-classical backdrop//
Jones and Roberts’ exuberant dismantling of the received ideas of selling furniture, home wares and interiors helped redefine retailing in the decade; design historian Catherine McDermott described the outlet as “a haven for the bizarre, the outrageous and the straight kitsch” and said Roberts “represents that part of British creativity which is able to delight and surprise”.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh College of Art’s principal Chris Breward has pointed out that Practical Styling represented an extremely important cultural moment: “A connection to the development of post-modern practice in the 80s.”
For the duration of the store’s existence between 1981 and 1986, Jones – who says the pair “introduced design to functional objects (by) referencing the past or playing with colour or quirky shapes” – was largely happy to stay in the shadows, sourcing items from Japan, Mexico or continental Europe, scanning catalogues, talking manufacturers through design ideas and visiting embassy trade missions.
The mediagenic Roberts was naturally the focus of attention given his history having run Kleptomania, Mr Freedom and City Lights Studio and worked with such figures as Ian Dury. Utilising the canvas of the large street-level window space, he drew on the talents of in-house designer Peter Denmark for fascia and other flourishes, and brought Simon Haynes on board to execute a series of daring displays, as you can see here from these previously unpublished working shots taken during installations.
All photos: Simon Haynes Collection.
Buy my book Mr Freedom – Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero here.
Ian Harris
May 3, 2013 at 3:55 pmHow fabulous to see these wonderful photo’s! We will never see the like of Tommy again.
How I miss him.
Chris Mentiply
August 8, 2013 at 4:32 amVery sad to hear that Tommy Roberts passed away last year – a true larger than life character in many ways! I worked at Practical Styling in 1983 having just left art college. Great times in London then and Tommy was an inspiration. Oddly enough he went to School with my mum in Lewisham and she said his father ran a tie makers called Roberto Ties so fashion was in his blood I guess.
Paul Gorman Author
August 8, 2013 at 6:55 amHi Chris
Good to hear from you. Yes his dad had the tie manufacturer Roberto Neckwear and also made ties for Tommy at Mr Freedom.
Caroline della Porta
July 14, 2014 at 2:32 amI have 2 pieces of screenprinted fabric from Practical Styling, which I was about to sell on TradeMe (NZ) I remember buying them from the shop all those years ago, and I’m still reluctant to use them …
Philip
February 10, 2015 at 2:05 pmNice to see these photos of Practical Styling. I used to supply the shop with bakelite telephones, they were the first retailer to stock them. The only thing more inventive than the window displays were the explanations for why they couldn’t pay us that week!
Chris Jackson
August 5, 2016 at 4:59 amI was just searching “Practical Styling” and stumbled across this post. I worked there in the Summer of 1983 with Alan, Anne, Jem and some other great people. Tommy would often stop by and hosted a party for His friend Justin at the warehouse across the street where I was recruited to serve champagne.
I had the privilege of serving some big celebrities who would come in or just brows. I was 19 and very star struck. Great memories.